Tanpopo

Hello everyone!! Hope everyone is staying cool. I know I'm trying, relying on my fan. With all this heat ramen does not sound appetizing to eat right now, however it is great to blog about today.

Tanpopo was one of the many ramen shops near Japan Peace Plaza in Japantown and a well-known place to ramen enthusiasts. I went by myself around 1pm on a Saturday, this place was nearly filled. I was seated immediately and looking over there were a lot of options of ramen, on top of that they served sushi as well. I ended up ordering a large Kyushu Chashu ramen and unagi (two pieces).


Since I was sitting at the bar I was right in front of the servers I was hoping they were able to see I was ready, the tables with larger parties stole all their attention. =(

They were prompt when they took my order and it did not take long for the unagi came out, nice and hearty pieces, a nice appetizer to start the meal. The ramen was HUGE! Big enough to either share with two people or one hungry customer. With a bowl very large it could mean it would be the most satisfying bowl of ramen I had or it will be below/average like other ramens I tried.

 The soup was hot, the noodles were al dente and plentiful, and the flavor was average. The pork itself did not meet expectations; the fat of the chashu coat my mouth as thought lard was being smeared in my mouth, it overpowered the flavor of the meat and there wasn't much fat.  The noodles were chewy and nothing more. The egg was overcooked because it was hard-boiled and it was gray on the outside of the yolk; it was also luke warm when I took a bite.

I do regret getting such a big bowl because I finished  90% of the ramen, the soup was very filling and I couldn't take anymore; I swear I was waddling out the place.

The service was as passable as the ramen, I sat there for about 10 minutes before they checked on me. There were only three waiters for the whole restaurant, times like this a fourth waiter wouldn't be a good idea. The total cost of this average meal was around $22. The bowl was $15.50 and if I decided to get a smaller size ($12.50) it would have been worth it. . . a little. For such a popular place I'm surprised I'm giving it this rating. Tanpopo, your name reminds me of a Dragon Ball Z character (I.E. Mr. Popo); if  you WERE  a Dragon Ball Z character you would be a mix of Yamcha and Krillin, good at what you do but lose in the end. =/


 
Tanpopo - 1740 Buchanan St
Value - 2/5
Food - 3/5
Service - 2/5
Atmosphere - 4/5 
Overall - 2.5/5